Words mean what people use them to mean, and the definition of “liberal” as being “the opposite of conservative” is well established in general usage. You’re allowed to be annoyed by it, but saying that it’s wrong just makes other people take nothing you say seriously.
Stupid people stop taking true things serious all the time, since when is this the golden standard of whether information is true lmao? Ya’ll so desperate for socialization it’s genuinely pathetic.
Telling other people saying “liberal” has a definition will make people not take you seriously isn’t nice either lmao. But since it’s status quo that’s fine right?
I’ve made the same point so many times on Lemmy and it gets so much bitterness in return. The fact that I’m not the only one pointing this out repeatedly should be proof enough but noooooo.
ThAtS nOt ThE dEfInItIoN… I GET IT, IT’S COMMONLY USED THAT WAY THOUGH!!!
Only in the US. The “Liberal Democrats” in the UK are not understood to be the opposite of the Tories, and there are many similar cases in countries around the world.
The reason liberal is understood to mean the opposite of conservative in the US is only because historically socialism became such a dirty word, liberals did everything they could to distance themselves from it, and there was no major socialist party or movement.
Since socialism has become resurgent, it makes more sense, especially on an international platform like this one, to adopt the internationally understood meaning.
Not really. We don’t use the word liberal in the UK anywhere near so much, but any average person (as opposed to a person well into polsci) describing themselves as “liberal” would be understood to be saying that they are progressive on social issues, not that they are in favour of free markets (though that may or may not be the case).
The “Liberal Democrats” in the UK are not understood to be the opposite of the Tories
Eh, yes and no. It is historically correct that the Liberal in Liberal Democrats refers to capital L Liberalism, being a merger of the Liberal Party and the Social Democratic Party, but the fact that the Lib Dems and the Tories are basically aligned on economic policy and only differ on how much they hate multiculturalism and trans people only serves to give the impression to people not well read in theory that that is what makes them “liberal”, if anything.
The reason liberal is understood to mean the opposite of conservative in the US is only because historically socialism became such a dirty word, liberals did everything they could to distance themselves from it, and there was no major socialist party or movement.
Perhaps. I’m not actually from the US.
Since socialism has become resurgent, it makes more sense, especially on an international platform like this one, to adopt the internationally understood meaning.
No, it doesn’t, because there isn’t one single internationally understood meaning. That is why the word has multiple definitions in the dictionary; some of them relate to liberalism as a political ideology, and some of them don’t. You aren’t going to succeed in building community or solidarity with anyone if the first thing you do is tell them that they’ll aren’t using their words correctly because they aren’t using it according to your list of acceptable definitions.
Words mean what people use them to mean, and the definition of “liberal” as being “the opposite of conservative” is well established in general usage. You’re allowed to be annoyed by it, but saying that it’s wrong just makes other people take nothing you say seriously.
Stupid people stop taking true things serious all the time, since when is this the golden standard of whether information is true lmao? Ya’ll so desperate for socialization it’s genuinely pathetic.
Why are you being mean? Does that help make your point?
Telling other people saying “liberal” has a definition will make people not take you seriously isn’t nice either lmao. But since it’s status quo that’s fine right?
No.
I saw their statement as broad and untargeted. Saying people won’t take you seriously doesn’t really “ding” on my mean-dar.
You calling someone pathetic does though.
Why you angry? Why does it matter if there’s a different usage of a word that you disagree with?
It’s a losing battle in here my dude.
I’ve made the same point so many times on Lemmy and it gets so much bitterness in return. The fact that I’m not the only one pointing this out repeatedly should be proof enough but noooooo.
ThAtS nOt ThE dEfInItIoN… I GET IT, IT’S COMMONLY USED THAT WAY THOUGH!!!
Only in the US. The “Liberal Democrats” in the UK are not understood to be the opposite of the Tories, and there are many similar cases in countries around the world.
The reason liberal is understood to mean the opposite of conservative in the US is only because historically socialism became such a dirty word, liberals did everything they could to distance themselves from it, and there was no major socialist party or movement.
Since socialism has become resurgent, it makes more sense, especially on an international platform like this one, to adopt the internationally understood meaning.
Not really. We don’t use the word liberal in the UK anywhere near so much, but any average person (as opposed to a person well into polsci) describing themselves as “liberal” would be understood to be saying that they are progressive on social issues, not that they are in favour of free markets (though that may or may not be the case).
Eh, yes and no. It is historically correct that the Liberal in Liberal Democrats refers to capital L Liberalism, being a merger of the Liberal Party and the Social Democratic Party, but the fact that the Lib Dems and the Tories are basically aligned on economic policy and only differ on how much they hate multiculturalism and trans people only serves to give the impression to people not well read in theory that that is what makes them “liberal”, if anything.
Perhaps. I’m not actually from the US.
No, it doesn’t, because there isn’t one single internationally understood meaning. That is why the word has multiple definitions in the dictionary; some of them relate to liberalism as a political ideology, and some of them don’t. You aren’t going to succeed in building community or solidarity with anyone if the first thing you do is tell them that they’ll aren’t using their words correctly because they aren’t using it according to your list of acceptable definitions.